Selena Quintanilla: What Fans Still Question About Her Passing

Fans were stunned on March 31, 1995, when they learned that beloved Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla passed away at age 23. More than 20 years later, her legacy carries on through her fans and loved ones.

We were able to learn more about her life and tragic, untimely death in the 1997 dramatic film, Selena — where Jennifer Lopez took on the lead role and starred alongside Jon Seda, Jackie Guerra, and Edward James Olmos. However, there are some things that fans still have questions about.

Here is everything you need to know about Selena Quintanilla's sudden passing.

How did Selena die?

The young star was shot on the shoulder by Yolanda Saldívar at a Days Inn hotel in Corpus Christi, TX.

Why did Yolanda kill her?

Selena and her family caught Yolanda — who served as president of Selena's fan club and also managed her boutiques — embezzling money. According to The New York Times, on that day at the Days Inn, the "Dreaming of You" songstress confronted her over financial documents. By this point, Yolanda had already been fired.

Is Yolanda still in jail?

The disgraced employee was served a life sentence back in 1995 and is still currently spending time behind bars. In 2025, Yolanda will be eligible for parole. For her safety, she has been kept away from other inmates who wish ill upon her.

Yolanda Saldívar. (Photo Credit: 20/20)

Has Yolanda ever spoken out about the crime she committed?

She did take part in a 20/20 interview and insisted that she did not kill Selena.

“It was an accident and my conscience is clear,” she said at the time, adding that she was "made me out to be a monster.”

She also spoke out in 2016, and the interview was published on the Spanish-speaking site RTS.

Was Selena pregnant when she died?

According to Yolanda, she was — however Selena's widower, Chris Perez, denies these claims.

Telemundo recently announced a new series called El Secreto de Selena, or Selena's Secret, as part of its 2017-2018 programming — which will be based off the controversial book of the same title, written by María Celeste Arrarás.